The largest collection of work from one of the nation’s most iconic artists and a famous Iowan is believed to be at a bank in Washington.

Local historian Mike Zahs has installed his personal collection of paintings and lithographs from American Gothic painter Grant Wood that he has gathered over the recent decades, “In the early ‘90s I was to be on a people-to-people exchange. I was supposed to teach in St. Petersburg, Russia, and I had saved money for that. And then just before I was to go to Russia they canceled that trip. So I decided I wanted to use that money for something and then I was able then to get a Grant Wood lithograph at Sotheby’s and that was what got me started.”

Zahs remarked that collectors’ pieces are easier to acquire than people may think. His collection includes over 30 signed pieces from Wood, and some that Wood personally signed for his sister. Zahs anticipates this will be the last time he displays this collection for the public, which people can view free of charge during business hours at Hills Bank until June 1st. Zahs is holding a free program about the display at 10 a.m. Friday sponsored by the bank.